Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has stressed that his ministry will continue to pursue its approach of promoting innovation and creativity to preserve the UAE's notable international stature and address future challenges, developments and demands to achieve Emiratisation by 2021.

Pledging that the ministry will continue to play an effective role in preparing national human resources to build a solid and sustainable foundation for Emiratising the country's knowledge-based economy in cooperation and partnership with all relevant sectors, ministries and institutions in the UAE and overseas, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak promised that the UAE will reap the fruits of Emiratisation in 2021.

The minister made the statement on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the death of the UAE's founding father and leading philanthropist, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, marked in the UAE as Zayed Humanitarian Work Day on the 19th day of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak said the UAE's increasing achievements, its top ranking on global competitiveness indices as well as its notable international political, economic, cultural and humanitarian stature are the fruits of the efforts of the founding father and the country's current leaders walking in his footsteps, namely President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who built on his legacy.

"The traits and exploits of the founding father are evident in the solid foundations of the UAE and in all domains," he said, adding that the UAE ranked first globally in attracting students in 2014, thanks to the keen interest of the leadership.

He noted that the UAE leadership had long prioritised education and allocated 20 to 22 percent of the federal budget to the sector in recent years.
Source: WAM